--- title: Espresso Blog | espresso machines (2) description: espresso machines | (2) --- [![ESI_Primary_Logo_Color](https://www.espresso-services.com/hs-fs/hubfs/ESI_Primary_Logo_Color.png?width=100&height=87&name=ESI_Primary_Logo_Color.png)](https://www.espresso-services.com/) ** ** ** This is a search field with an auto-suggest feature attached. - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. ![ESI banner FINAL color](https://www.espresso-services.com/hs-fs/hubfs/ESI%20banner%20FINAL%20color.png?width=2000&height=24&name=ESI%20banner%20FINAL%20color.png "ESI banner FINAL color") # Espresso Blog [ ## Your Choice in Water isn't Hard When it comes to the water used in the espresso process, the consideration for taste, odor, and particulate matter should not be the only concern.  While the filtration process should always be included in ice and drink preparation, it is not the only precaution that should be taken. The use of hard water (7 grains of hardness or greater) can prove itself to be a costly endeavor, as it leads the breakdown of equipment and the further pain of potentially having a business temporarily out of operation for machine repairs. If you choose to open your business in a location that has hard water, you... [commercial espresso machines](https://www.espresso-services.com/espresso-blog/topic/commercial-espresso-machines) [midwest espresso machines](https://www.espresso-services.com/espresso-blog/topic/midwest-espresso-machines) [local espresso machines](https://www.espresso-services.com/espresso-blog/topic/local-espresso-machines) [minnesota espresso machines](https://www.espresso-services.com/espresso-blog/topic/minnesota-espresso-machines) [claris](https://www.espresso-services.com/espresso-blog/topic/claris) [everpure](https://www.espresso-services.com/espresso-blog/topic/everpure) [hard water solutions](https://www.espresso-services.com/espresso-blog/topic/hard-water-solutions) [espresso machines](https://www.espresso-services.com/espresso-blog/topic/espresso-machines) [minneapolis espresso machines](https://www.espresso-services.com/espresso-blog/topic/minneapolis-espresso-machines) [water softener](https://www.espresso-services.com/espresso-blog/topic/water-softener) [hard water](https://www.espresso-services.com/espresso-blog/topic/hard-water) ](https://www.espresso-services.com/espresso-blog/bid/300029/Your-Choice-in-Water-isn-t-Hard) [ ## Commercial Espresso Machine Definitions ## Espresso Machine Operating Types There are two machine types of commercial espresso machine and of those two vairations there are several operating types within.  The following are the basic descriptions of the machines avaialble on the market. #### **Traditional Manual** A manual commercial espresso machine is operated by literally moving a lever with your hand. The lever controls a hydraulic piston which creates the pressure necessary to brew the espresso. Very few commercial machines exist anymore operating by this method[.](https://www.espresso-services.com/equipment/la-cimbali/espresso-equipment/traditional-espresso-machines/)  #### **Traditional **Semi-Automatic A semi-automatic commercial espresso machine... ](https://www.espresso-services.com/espresso-blog/bid/227376/Commercial-Espresso-Machine-Definitions) [espresso machines](https://www.espresso-services.com/espresso-blog/topic/espresso-machines) [super-automatic](https://www.espresso-services.com/espresso-blog/topic/super-automatic) [Previous](https://www.espresso-services.com/espresso-blog/topic/espresso-machines/page/1) [All posts](https://www.espresso-services.com/espresso-blog/all) ### Our Products [![View Products](https://hubspot-no-cache-na2-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/default/191573/46fcd6b6-91a8-4836-b275-b93445cd209f.png)](https://hubspot-cta-redirect-na2-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/redirect/191573/46fcd6b6-91a8-4836-b275-b93445cd209f) ### Share This [![Share on Facebook](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/facebook-24x24.png)](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.espresso-services.com%2Fespresso-blog%2Ftopic%2Fespresso-machines%2Fpage%2F2%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dfacebook) [![Share on LinkedIn](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/linkedin-24x24.png)](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.espresso-services.com%2Fespresso-blog%2Ftopic%2Fespresso-machines%2Fpage%2F2%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dlinkedin) [![Share on Twitter](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/twitter-24x24.png)](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.espresso-services.com%2Fespresso-blog%2Ftopic%2Fespresso-machines%2Fpage%2F2%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.espresso-services.com%2Fespresso-blog%2Ftopic%2Fespresso-machines%2Fpage%2F2%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&source=tweetbutton&text=Espresso%20Blog%20%7C%20espresso%20machines%20%282%29) [![Share on Email](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/email-24x24.png)](mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.espresso-services.com%2Fespresso-blog%2Ftopic%2Fespresso-machines%2Fpage%2F2%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail%20&body=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.espresso-services.com%2Fespresso-blog%2Ftopic%2Fespresso-machines%2Fpage%2F2%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail) ### Topic Cloud - 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